← aviation⌂ home
PREFLIGHT
CHECKLIST
Re-entry sequence · KFIT / KBED / 6B6

RETURN
TO FLYING

Ground-first approach to getting current after 20 years away. Complete the paperwork before you touch the controls.

Preflight progress 0 / 0 complete
PHASE 01 Medical Certification Do this first — confirms you're legal to fly
Complete BasicMed online courseDO NOW
Available at aopa.org — takes ~60 min. Required before physician visit.
Complete your portion of the CMEC formDO NOW
Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist — bring to physician visit.
Schedule physician visit for BasicMed examSOON
Give advance notice — they need to be familiar with CMEC requirements. Any state-licensed physician qualifies.
PHASE 02 Ground Knowledge The heavy lifting — do this before flying
Create FAASafety.gov account and enroll in WINGSDO NOW
Free. Start accumulating knowledge credits immediately.
Complete AOPA Rusty Pilots online courseDO NOW
Specifically covers what changed since you last flew. Earns WINGS credits. Free for AOPA members.
Read AIM — priority chaptersDO NOW
Focus on: airspace, ATC comms, navigation, weather services. Free PDF at faa.gov.
Review 14 CFR Part 91 — key regulationsDO NOW
Focus on currency requirements, equipment (91.205), ADS-B rules, BasicMed operating limits.
Complete WINGS knowledge modules (3–5)DO NOW
Recommended: ALC-42 (BasicMed), ALC-33 (ADS-B/Airspace), ALC-101 (Stabilized Approaches).
Listen to LiveATC — Hanscom + Worcester ApproachDO NOW
15–20 min sessions. Rebuilds ear for pace, phraseology, and Boston-area ATC patterns before you're on the radio.
Review Boston sectional — local airspaceSOON
Class B depiction, Mode C veil, KBED Class D, KFIT and 6B6 procedures. Know your environment.
PHASE 03 Gear & Equipment Minimal spend until commitment confirmed
Purchase current Boston Sectional chartDO NOW
~$10. Immediate. Use for ground study before you ever go to the airport.
Locate and inspect existing gearDO NOW
David Clark headsets, E6B, kneeboard, fuel sump tester, logbook — all confirmed usable.
Subscribe to ForeFlightDEFER
Defer until after Flight Review confirms long-term commitment. ~$100–200/yr depending on tier.
Acquire ForeFlight Sentry ADS-B receiverDEFER
Identified as optimal for your use case. Defer alongside ForeFlight subscription.
PHASE 04 Flight Review The legal gate back to PIC
Identify and contact a CFISOON
Look for someone collaborative, not evaluative. Ask around at KFIT or KBED. Chemistry matters.
Research flying clubs at KFIT / KBED / 6B6SOON
Intermediate step before ownership. Lower fixed costs while confirming how much you'll fly.
Complete Flight Review — ground portionFLY
Min. 1 hour with CFI. Cover regs, airspace, what's changed. Arrive prepared — use this as confirmation, not learning.
Complete Flight Review — flight portionFLY
Min. 1 hour. Expect more than minimum after 20 years. That's fine — it's not a checkride.
Build 90-day currency (3 T/O and landings)FLY
Required before carrying passengers. Build genuine proficiency first — currency and proficiency are not the same thing.
Remember: Currency is the legal minimum. Proficiency is actually flying well. With 20 years away, give yourself time to rebuild genuine proficiency before carrying passengers — regardless of what the logbook technically allows. The two past decisions you've reframed as good judgment (the oil pressure return, the weather escape) are exactly the instincts that make a good pilot. Bring those back with you.